I was watching the popular Korean drama “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God,” and the main character, played by Ji Eun-tak, was having a birthday party and eating a gorgeous rice cake.
Gremlin, my cat, was watching the cake scene with wide eyes and began meowing as it appeared on the screen. She appeared to be wishing for a rice cake as well. The thought occurred to me: maybe cats like rice cakes.
Since rice is a grain and felines have long been known to enjoy grain products, these should be a hit. However, I was unsure if rice cakes would be healthy for them to eat. I did a quick internet search, consulted my vet, and discovered the solution.
Although the occasional rice cake as a treat is fine, giving your cat only that will not provide a balanced diet and could make them sick.
A plain rice cake without any added sugar or salt is fine to give your cat, but keep the portion size small.
Here, I’ll share everything I learned about the process so that you can make a well-informed choice.
Do Cats Like to Eat Rice Cake?
You might be wondering if cats will eat rice cakes because they are known to be picky eaters. Some felines might find rice cake tasty, but others might turn their noses up at it.
Even if your cat has a preference for rice cake, including it in her regular diet is not recommended. What I learned about giving my cat rice cakes.
White rice, the type used in most commercial rice cakes, isn’t the healthiest option for cats’ diets. The lack of essential nutrients in white rice increases the risk of obesity and diabetes in cats.
If you’re going to feed your cat a rice cake, look for one made with brown rice. White rice is more likely to cause health problems, while brown rice is a better source of nutrients.
You should gradually increase the amount of rice cake you feed your cat, as you would with any novel food. See how she reacts after you’ve offered a few small bites.
You can give her more of it if she seems to like it and if there are no negative reactions. Stick with other foods if she doesn’t seem interested in rice cake or if it causes stomach trouble.
Can Kittens Eat Rice Cakes?
Rice cakes are not a good choice for kittens. Kittens can’t get the proper nutrition from rice cakes or any other grain-based food. Kittens require a high-protein, high-fat, and low-carbohydrate diet.
Plant-based proteins lack one or more of the essential amino acids that growing kittens need, while animal-based proteins provide all of them.
Concentrated in fat are the essential fatty acids, vitamins A, D, E, and K, and beta-carotene your body needs to function. However, carbohydrates are not necessary for cats and, in fact, can be harmful if consumed in excess.
While it’s true that your kitten probably wouldn’t suffer any ill effects from nibbling on a rice cake here and there, it’s still best to feed it food that’s formulated for kittens.
What Should Cats Eat?
Given that cats are classified as obligate carnivores,they rely heavily on animal products for their nutritional needs.. Cats do best on a diet high in animal protein and moderate in fat. To aid in energy production, even a small amount of carbohydrates would be helpful.
In addition to these three groups, your cat will need a healthy dose of antioxidants, vitamin C, and mineral salts.
Although cats are strictly carnivores, there are some plant-based foods that are perfectly safe for them to eat.Cats with indigestion or stomachaches can benefit from the use of certain plants..
It’s true that even lions and tigers occasionally eat greens like leaves. Because of his long association with humans, the housecat has consumed far more vegetables than his ancestors in the wild.
This is why many plant-based foods are not only safe, but may actually be beneficial for cats to eat.
Is it safe to feed cats rice cakes, though?
Cats should not have any problems eating rice cakes.
What’s In Rice Cakes?
A rice cake can be any rice-based food that has been compressed, formed, or otherwise combined into a single object.
Whole grain rice or rice flour can be used to make these cakes. Rice is the foundational ingredient in all of these dishes, no matter what shape they take.
This leads us to wonder: can cats eat rice cakes safely?
Since rice is a grain that has not been linked to any severe health problems in cats, rice cakes are safe for cats to eat.
But on the basis of that one premise, should you go ahead and feed your cat rice cakes?
Most likely not. Rice is the main ingredient in rice cakes, but they may also contain other ingredients that are harmful to cats. Which encompassesseasonings like onionsas well as garlic and mint.
Health Benefits of Rice Cakes for Cats
Butyrate, a soluble resistant starch, is one of the many types of fiber found in rice.
Butyrate improves your cat’s digestive health by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract, or gut microbiome.
Keeping these microbiomes healthy has been found to be a natural way to lower the risks of gut inflammation.
Rice cakes have a lot of fiber, which could aid your cat’s digestion. Research shows that fiber passes through the digestive tract largely undigested.
It does this by adding bulk to the stool, prompting more frequent bowel movements.Indigestion and constipation can both benefit from more regular bowel movements..
However, insoluble fiber, which is more prevalent in brown rice than white rice, is responsible for the stool-bulking properties of fiber.
To help your cat reap the possible benefits for its digestive system, try feeding it some rice cakes made from brown rice.
That begs another question, can cats eat brown rice cakes?
White rice with the bran, husk, and germ still on it is called “brown rice.” It’s less refined than white rice, so it’s better for you.
Therefore, it stands to reason that brown rice cakes may provide more health benefits to cats than their white rice counterparts.
White rice rice cakes are safer for your cute cat because they are easier to digest.
Brown rice may be healthier than white rice because of the bran, husk, and germ, but it is more difficult to digest. It’s a juggling act to find the sweet spot between nutrient density and ease of digestion.
Rice cakes can help your cat’s digestion and give him more energy. The high amount of carbohydrates in rice is well-known.
Energy synthesis processes can be aided by carbohydrate-rich foods like rice cakes that you feed your cat.
Are Rice Cakes Good For Cats Then?
It’s debatable whether or not cats should eat rice cakes. In fact, your cat may reap some health benefits from eating rice cakes made from plain rice.
But is that justification sufficient for feeding these items to your kitto?
To be sure, it’s possible. Most recipes for rice cakes, as you will see, also call for other ingredients that can be harmful to cats.
Also, cats are obligate carnivores, so the benefits of rice for them are minimal at best.
Dangers of Rice Cakes for Cats
Rice cakes might look like any other cat food at first. After all, rice flour is the main ingredient in these cakes.
However, things aren’t always as cut-and-dry as they appear. As we’ve mentioned before, there are a number of other ingredients in rice cakes that could be harmful to your cat.
Spices, sugar, and salt are typical components of rice cakes that should not be fed to cats.
1. Effects of Salt on Cats
Toxic levels of salt have been found in both cats and dogs. Too much salt in the diet may causesodium ion poisoning is a medical condition..
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and a loss of appetite are the first signs of sodium ion poisoning in cats. Lethargy and incoordination are just the beginning if the condition is left untreated.
Sodium ion poisoning can cause kidney damage in your cat if not treated quickly. When these symptoms manifest, they include increased thirst and urination, a racing heart, high blood pressure, fits, and eventually coma.
Cats with kidney disease should avoid highly salted rice cakes because of the harm that salt can do to the kidneys.
Can cats eat rice cakes with a small amount of salt?
Even a seemingly insignificant amount of salt can be fatal to cats. Therefore, even low-sodium rice cakes could be harmful to your kitto.
So, rice cakes without salt are safe for cats to eat?
Cats, in terms of salt content, are better off eating plain rice cakes. Assuming, of course, that the rest of the cake’s ingredients are suitable for felines.
2. Effects of Sugar on Cats
To cats, sugar is almost as bad as salt. If your cat consumes too much sugar, it can cause stomach irritation, which often manifests as vomiting and diarrhea.
The blood sugar levels of your cat can also be disrupted by feeding it sugary foods. And the high carbohydrate content of rice doesn’t help.
3. Effects of Spices on Cats
Some spices are not immediately toxic to cats. However, there are some that are extremely harmful to your cat, such as garlic and onions.
Red blood cells in cats have been shown to react hypersensitively to onion and garlic. Heinz-body anemia is a form of hemolytic anemia characterized by oxidative damage to red blood cells, and it can be caused by these spices.
Heinz-body anemia can be recognized by its characteristic lethargy, pale gums, and profuse salivation. Some felines may also experience stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting.
What Other Ingredients In Rice Cakes Can’t Cats Eat?
Rice cakes may contain a number of ingredients that are bad for cats, including sugar, salt, and spices. Let’s take a closer look at those components by addressing some frequently asked questions about feline friends and breakfast treats.
Can Cats Eat Flavored Rice Cakes?
Flavor profiles for rice cakes can vary widely. Some of these flavors, however, may be dangerous for your cat, as you are about to learn.
Can Cats Eat Corn Rice Cakes?
Cats can eat a little bit of corn without any ill effects.Corn rice cakes are safe for cats to eat in moderation.
Can Cats Eat Apple Rice Cakes?
Cats can eat a wide variety of fruits without getting sick. That means it’s fine to feed your cat rice cakes with an apple flavor.
Can Cats Eat Cinnamon Rice Cakes?
Cinnamon is a spice, but unlike some other spices, it poses no immediate danger to cats. So, giving your cat a few cinnamon rice cakes every now and then is probably safe.
Can Cats Eat Chocolate Rice Cakes?
Sugar content is high in chocolate. Xylitol could also be present in the product. Because of the presence of these two compounds, chocolate rice cakes should not be fed to cats.
Can Cats Eat Caramel Rice Cakes?
It’s possible that cats can safely consume caramels in moderation, but too much of them could be dangerous. That’s because they have a lot of sugar compared to other foods. Therefore, cats shouldn’t be given too many rice cakes flavored with caramel.
Can Cats Eat Salt And Vinegar Rice Cakes?
Cats shouldn’t eat salt and vinegar rice cakes because of the word “salt.” Your cat’s stomach might not even be able to handle the vinegar.
Can Cats Eat Marmite Rice Cakes?
Marmite typically has a high salt content. We also caution against feeding cats any salted rice cakes.
Can Cats Eat Yogurt Rice Cakes?
Cats should avoid yogurt because it is a dairy product. That’s because lactose, a type of simple sugar, is present in these foods.
Cats, as a general rule, cannot digest lactose. Therefore, this sugar may cause stomach irritation if consumed in large quantities.
Can Cats Eat Cheese Rice Cakes?
Cheese rice cakes are not safe for cats. Cheese is a dairy product, so it naturally contains lactose.
Can Cats Eat Cheddar Rice Cakes?
When cheese is aged and then hardened, it’s called cheddar. The fact that cheddar is a dairy product, even without further explanation, disqualifies cheddar-flavored meals from a list of cat-friendly foods.
Other Frequently Asked Questions Related To Cats and Rice Cakes
Can Cats Eat Plain Rice Cakes?
Flavored rice cakes aren’t as good for cats as plain ones. This is especially true if you have doubts about the quality control of the product’s flavoring ingredients.
Can Kittens Eat Rice Cakes?
Kittens should stay far away from rice cakes. Until their digestive systems are mature enough, they shouldn’t be given plant-based foods.
Can Pregnant Cats Eat Rice Cakes?
Cats that are pregnant, nursing, or otherwise ill should not consume rice cakes. That’s because their immune systems are weak.
Last Few Words…
You should remember these things before offering your cat a rice cake as a treat on rare occasions. To ensure your cat gets all the nutrients she needs, provide a wide range of foods.
And when in doubt about how much food to serve, serve less. Rice cakes are fine in moderation, but eating too many of them at once can lead to tummy trouble. Enjoy your meal!